For a while now I've engaged in learning about the culture of scotland and celtdom in general. I've started to practice my brogue and learning some gaidhlig as best i can using internet resources. I've for a while worn tartan/plaid shirts in a kilted manner not being able to find tartan here in Costa Rica other than maybe a plaid flannel. I've had trouble coping with some of the discouraging comments i get from people who expect me to be ethnically scottish, or who pretend it to be a requirement to wear a kilt, also i've been harrassed by homophobes and so i've had to struggle in order to dress as I feel. I've heard many stories about scots getting violent(as a quaker i am a non violent non confrontational pacifist) at people who wear their clan's tartan without being part of it or having the same surname eventhough the tartan-surname tradition was made up by the scottish society of london in the 19th century and thus is bogus to the historical roots of the original celtic dress code which was not just a "highland" thing. I don't see how cultural diffusion can be insulting to a dying community, in the same manner i wish to learn gaelic to keep a culture alive although i don't have any ancestors belonging to that culture, i don't see how my wearing a kilt could be offensive to anyone who appreciates outer interest on such culture. I'd appreciate any stories on kilt personal experience and or encouragement.